How Does Financing a Car Work?
For both first-time and experienced car buyers, financing a car may seem overwhelming. The team at Capistrano Volkswagen is here to guide you through car financing and explain how the process works. First off, to make your car shopping experience more convenient, we offer on-site financing. This means our team will proactively match you with the financial institution that best suits your needs.
Financing a car involves taking out a car loan from a financial institution, such as a bank or credit union. The loan is in the form of installment credit, which means you’ll be responsible for repaying the vehicle’s purchase price over a set time, known as the loan term. Typically, this repayment plan will see your monthly payments go toward your principal payment or the cost of the loan and the interest expense, which pays the interest due.
You can also adjust the loan term or monthly payment budget by offering a down payment or trading in another vehicle. Our team will apply for the loan for you and assist in getting it approved. We’ll also show you the intricacies of the whole process so you can understand them.
First-Time Buyer Plan
If you’ve never purchased a vehicle before, you’re on the right track. With our First-Time Buyer Plan, we’re here to make it easy for you to drive the Volkswagen you’ve been waiting for. You’ll qualify for this plan — specifically designed for first-time buyers — if you’re currently employed full-time and if this is the first time you’re financing a vehicle. The eligible vehicles include new, Certified Pre-Owned, and pre-owned VW automobiles.
Vehicle Protection Plans
We offer a wide range of vehicle protection plans to suit your lifestyle and future use, including Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Vehicle Service Protection, Term Protection, Lease-End Protection, and Tire and Wheel Protection with optional cosmetic coverage. Our finance specialists will walk you through the benefits of these protection plans and make recommendations based on your driving habits and needs.
Bad Credit/No Credit Options
Whether you have bad credit or no credit, our team is here to help you get approved no matter your credit situation. There isn’t one isolated credit score that lenders are looking for in potential buyers, and we’re here to help match you with the financial institution that will work with people who have bad credit or no credit history. But your credit situation may increase the length of your loan so you may enjoy a smaller monthly payment. The other option is a higher monthly payment with a shorter loan term.
Documents Needed for Loan Process
When you arrive at Capistrano Volkswagen, there are a few essential documents we ask for to speed up the car loan process, including:
- Driver’s license to provide us with proof of your identity.
- Proof of your current auto insurance from your trade-in or any other vehicle you own.
- Form of payment if you’re going to offer a down payment.
What’s more, we’ll access your credit or financial history via your personal information and consent to proceed with the loan process.
If you’re trading in a vehicle, please bring your current and valid car registration. We’ll also need the title and payoff information where applicable.
Value Your Trade
In case you’re trading in a vehicle, we’ll inspect it to estimate its value. We’ll check things like the odometer for current mileage, the vehicle’s overall condition, and any history or disclosure of previous damage. We’ll also compare the trade-in value to other similar vehicles’ in the current market.
The value of your trade-in vehicle is then subtracted from the price of the new car. However, it’s important to consider any money you may still owe on your vehicle, as this can affect the overall total of your new loan. But be rest assured that we’ll handle the transition from your current loan to your new one by paying off the existing loan and transferring the title.
Buy or Lease
Financing a car with a loan is a commitment to pay off the entire cost of the vehicle over a set time, after which you’ll own the vehicle outright. Leasing a car is another popular option for those shopping for a new vehicle or people who upgrade their vehicles often. With a lease, you’re paying for a portion of the vehicle’s costs and not the vehicle itself. Essentially, you’re paying to borrow the car and keep the mileage under a certain figure.
If you really enjoyed how your vehicle handled and would like to keep it, you could be eligible to purchase the vehicle with a lease buy-out at the end of the lease period. Not sure if buying or leasing a car is the best option for you? Our friendly finance specialists are here to guide you through the decision. They’ll ask you a few questions to help you determine the best car-buying approach for you.
Financing a car is an exciting decision, and we’re here to help make the process as easy as possible. At Capistrano Volkswagen, we don’t believe in high-pressure sales, and we strive to make your entire car-buying experience an enjoyable one. You can shop for the perfect vehicle with reassurance that you will be taken care of by our entire team in our no-pressure environment.
